If you look at OSHA and how it works with safety, I am surprised that more companies haven’t been forced into using Saw Stop or similar tech since it is considered a known danger. I don’t know if standard guards are going to be, in the future, able to legal stand up against this. Here is Section 5 of OSHA's outline.

SEC. 5. Duties(a) Each employer—

(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;

(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
29 USC 654(b) Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

Why hasn’t anyone complained about the fact that riving knives are now required on all new saws? Manufacturers had to redesign their saws and add components to make the knife rise and lower with the blade. This made all saws cost a couple bucks more than previous models (some saws may cost less due to cost savings in other areas).

If you are really upset that someone made you pay more for safety that you don’t deem necessary, then why aren’t you complaining about riving knives?

Bottom line is, the cost for safety needs to be balanced with the risks. Those who claim they don’t want mandated safety based on principles have no leg to stand on. If you think sawstop tech is too expensive, then fine tell us what that price point needs to be. Just don’t go off and claim it violates your principles when you’re obviously only selectively applying them.

FYI, UL made it mandatory. A private company, who you have no influence over and could care less about what you have to say. At least in government you can vote.

Sarit, it is proven that riving knives prevent kickback. The Sawstop technology has nothing to do with preventing kickback. The Sawstop technology is something that is not necessary for safety. If you pay attention, you wont put your hands in the blade.

What I’m trying to say is, wood bending into the back of the blade while cutting it is not the users fault. Running your hand through a blade due to inattention is the users fault.

-- --Tyrone - BC, Canada "Nothing is ever perfect, we just run out of time."

Everyone should be forced to buy a saw stop . Before you can renew your driver’s licence , you should be required to buy a saw stop. before you apply for a pass port you should be required to buy a saw stopbefore you can re finance you home , you should be required to buy a saw stop. Before you can obtain a marriage license you will have to purchase a saw stop . To extend unemployment benefits you mustbuy a saw stop . If you are running for political office you will have to first purchase a saw stop .You must buy a saw stop before being admitted to a college , university , trade school ,cosmetology school , Burger U., .You must buy a saw stop before being allowed to join the army ,air force ,marines ,navy , coastguard , nationalguard, civilian militias . paint ball armies ,world of war craft , You must buy a saw stop before being allowed due process in divorce court ,small claims court , escrow ,bankruptcy court , and other courts such as basketballcourts tennis courts , handball courts ,high courts ,low courts , international courts, maritime courts, grass courts ,clay courts ,quartz courts ,muni courts ,mini courts , food courts , You must buy a saw stop before entering any type of Arena such as Hockey , generic sports arena , AKC dog shows , Ultimate fighting arenas , Death match arenas , Kary O Key bars , marinas , parking garages , strip malls , strip culbs , club med , emergency rooms , panic rooms , rooms with a view , padded rooms ,utility rooms , bar rooms , rooms with mini bars , space needles , needle factories . You must first be required to buy a saw stop before being allowed to shop on Amazon.com , open an etsy store , bid on e-bay , buy a computer , submit free blogs , hold stocks and bonds , download ring tones , time share condos , do other people’s taxes ,learn a foreign language , take quilting classes , surf , jog , train helper dogs and monkeys , drive gasoline and explosive trucks on public roadways ,qualify for insurance for snow mobiles , employ a nanny , vote in any election , join hair club , fight club ,weight watchers , desert of the month club , You must buy a saw stop if you work for the fed government(postal workers excluded ). You should be required to buy a saw stop if you are employed as a dog groomer,web designer , spelunker , junker , professional athlete , hair dresser or nail tech , yoga instructor , kindergarten teacher , fishing guide , astronaut , retail specialist , theme park and carnival workers ,taxi drivers , baker , butcher , candle maker , children’s books author , barber , nutritionist , IT tech ,event planer , wedding planer , and divorce lawyer . All professional and hobbyist Woodworkes should be required to purchase two saw stops , IMHO .

All persons that are employed by any government entity , employed in the health care industry ,or employed in the educational system , or own or are employed by any private or public businessshould be required to buy a saw stop .

I don’t see a reason for this technology to be mandated for all saws. I think a private user/hobbyist should be able to decide whether it makes sense for them.

However, I AM for legislation which requires Sawstop-like technology on saws being used in schools or those furnished to employees by an employer. It obviously makes sense from a financial/insurance perspective for schools and businesses to use Sawstop, and I have no problem with that being formalized. Gass still gets his money, but the hobbyist doesn’t have to feel like it’s being shoved down his throat. This of course would have less to do with the CPSC and more to do with OSHA and other government bodies that regulate those environments.

Let the individual hobbyist choose.

Disclosure: I am a hobbyist, own a Sawstop, admire the technology, and don’t hate Gass as much as some do.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I don’t feel the issue is about safety as much as an entrepreneur using the government to strong arm competitors into purchasing a product that is patented. I don’t resent Gass because he used his ingenuity to create a product that is unique and has great potential to save a woodworker’s digits. My angst is that after the terms he presented to other saw makers was turned down, he is attempting to use legislation to enforce the purchase of his product. That does not seem like a fair business practice to me. I have known several individuals who hurt themselves on a saw. I, however, do not know any that hurt themselves with blade guards in place, hold downs being utilized, push sticks in hand, and splitters in use. All existing technology that has proven to work when used.

Gass testified in hearings over tablesaw accidents that his technology would have prevented the occurrence of a mishap. That may be true, if the technology is in use. The blade break can be turned off just like riving knives, blade guards, and splitters can be removed from a tablesaw. In the end, it still boils down to an individual deciding to use the safety features that are available. No amount of regulation will change that.

David

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

I don’t like the way Gass has pushed this through govt channels either. That is what we don’t like. WE all think it is a great device and some actually wish Powermatic or Unisaw had a similar device. But they don’t and Gass has been a real turkey about the way he has crammed this down our throats. So with Obama Care on you policy why not a SawStop? No I don’t like it either…neither of the above options. I have never been involved in a saw accident but I was with a guy in high school that did cut himself. He made a mistake. I didn’t even know it was happening until it was over. I scared me spittless! Do I want my grandchildren in that position….??? No way. What we need more than anything else is a second or third company to offer a quality table saw with some kind of safety mechanism at a reasonable rate. A way to reset the devise without sending parts back to who knows where before we can use the tool again. ‘I do wear seat belts. No they shouldn’t tell me to wear them but I should be smart enough to do it on my own…they are offered by everyone and at a reasonable rate. Now lets talk about anti-lock brakes. What do they do for you. NOTHING! they still cost you though…...